Opinions from Others.
Page 25
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The Press, the Parade, and the Truth.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1220] Sir,—It was interesting to read the very numerous extracts in your issue of the 22nd May, from important London and provincial papers, with regard to the Parade of Whit-Monday last. I think you have not quoted comments of this kind with regard to previous Parades [We have not.—ED.], and
have never before realized that so extraordinary an amount of general publicity was given in all parts of the country. These evidences of extensive interest on the part of the Press must, indeed, be of great value to the commercial-motor movement as a whole, and I shall be equally interested, later on, if you can find space to let your readers see something of the Overseas notices which you anticipate.
This publicity is directly at variance with statements, which I have read elsewhere, to the effect that there was very little public interest in the Parade. That was, however, by no means small, while the Parade was actually in progress, but the other and wider publicity, the whole of it favourable, must have come under the notice of some millions of
people.--Yours faithfully, G. G. DAVIES. Lancaster Road, W.
[We live not had space to publish this letter earlier—ED,] Another District C.M D.A. Proposed.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1221] Sir,—As many prominent users of commercial vehicles have expressed their desire and the necessity for a society to look after their many interests, it has been arranged that a meeting be held on Friday, 20th June 1913, at 3.30 p.m. at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, to consider the advisability of forthwith inaugurating a centre of the Commercial Motor Users Association for Manchester, South Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales district, and if decided upon to appoint the necessary committee, etc., to further the scheme.
I might mention that the following gentlemen have expressed their intention of being present:—
E. S. Shrapnell Smith, Esq. (Editor CommERCIAL MOTOR).
F. G. Bristow, Esq. (Secretary Commercial Motor Users Association in London).
C. Le M. Gosselin, Esq. (Viney and Co., Ltd.).
William Paden, Esq., J. P. (Eadens, Ltd.).
Leo Swain, Esq. (Polack Tyre and Rubber Co. and Leo Swain and Co.).
R. C. Reynolds, Esq. (Bleachers' Association).
J. Graham Reece, Esq. (J. Blake and Co., Liverpool), John Faulkner, Esq. (C. T. Faulkner and Co., Ltd.).
Alfred Dugdale, Esq. (Hans Renold, Ltd.). H. Shankland, Esq. (Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd.).
T. W. Grace, Esq. (Solicitor).
Chas. Davies, Esq. (Fodens, Ltd.).
R. C. Higgin, Esq. (Schofield, Claytons, Ltd.). A. Bert Albert, Esq. (Commercial Cars, Ltd.). J. T. Lawton, Esq. (J. T. Lawton and Co.). L. L. Lewis, Esq. (Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd.), and many others.
All owners or intending owners in the above areas are particularly requested to attend and lend their assistance in this important meeting.—Yours faith fully, &us GREEN. Cromwell Buildings, Blackfriars Street, Manchester.
[We refer to this subject on the first page of the issue.—En.]
The Cost of Upkeep of Motorvans.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1222] Sir,—One of the most remarkable features in connection with the use of commercial vehicles is the widely different results obtained by different owners. The writer has exceptional opportunities of knowing the exact amount spent by various firms in repairs and replacements to their vehicles ; also in knowing the number of days during the year that the vehicles are off the road for repair. Without giving the actual figures here, the writer can vouch for the fact that the difference is most extraordinary, and that it is often four and sometimes five times as much. This should be sufficient to make owners realize, that the handling of the vehicle is of the greatest importance.
The unsuccessful user of a. motor vehicle usually throws all the blame on the vehicle itself ; failing this, he will usually blame the roads, and as a last resource he will say that his work is different to that of anybody else. All the time he is keeping himself busy inventing excuses, his neighbour, who is doing exactly the same class of work, has the same make of vehicle, and is running on the same roads, is getting the most satisfactory results from his vehicles. It seldom occurs to the unsuccessful owner that. his way of looking after things might not be the best. Unsuccessful owners may be divided into several classes. There is the owner who intends to do the thing thoroughly well, but who may be unfortunate in his choice of the person to whom he entrusts the care of his vehicles; this person may be either careless or ignorant of the points to be watched to ensure success. There is the owner who wants to get too much out of his vehicles, and there is the utterly hopeless man, who never makes a success of any piece of machinery he handles or owns. In the writer's opinion, the greatest cause of trouble is ignorance. Sometimes the ignorance is with the owner, and sometimes it is with those under him. Owners of motor vehicles embrace every trade, and all cannot be expected to he engineers. Even engineers do not know what to look for, unless they have had special experience in commercial vehicles. Some of the leading firms are finding that it pays to employ the services of a practical engineer, who has had the necessary experience, periodically to inspect their vans, and to report on their needs. It is found that this work can be done best by somebody who is not in the regular service of the owner of the vehicle. The knowledge that vehicles will be examined and_ that a fearless report will be given on their condition has a good effect on all concerned. Owners are often lulled into a feeling that things are being well looked after by seeing a well-cleaned body and some nicely-polished brasswork. At the end of the year, however, the bills for repairs and replacementa will tell them the true state of affairs. The knowledge often comes too late, and is dearly bought.
In commercial motors, it is the stitch in time that saves—not nine, but nine hundred and ninety-nine. It wants the right man with the right experience to know where the stitch is needed. The writer feels confident that, if th.e services of competent experts were more generally employed, there would he more vehicles giving complete satisfaction than is the case to-day. It is to everyone's interest that motor vehicles should give complete satisfaction, as an unsuccessful and dissatisfied owner sets up a sort of infected area round him where further sales are for a time rendered difficult.—Yours faithfully,
St. John's House, C. M. LINLEY. 124, Minories, E.C.
I The value of competent inspection has been clearly shown by the results that have attended the C MX A. inspections by Mr. Geo. W. Watson. We are sure that Mr. Liitley will find plenty of inguiry.—ED.]